Truffle species

Summer/Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum/uncinatum)

It is the most common truffle species in Hungary. Variable species concerning size, peridium, habitats and fragrance. Fruit body size varies between nut to apple. Peridium (outer surface of the fruit body) has a black colour and coarse surface. When ripened, gleba (inner tissues) is brown and light yellow marbled. Fragance of the truffle resembles to sweat corn. Season lasts from June to December. It is common in deciduous forest under oaks, hornbeam, hazelnut and lindens. In its natural habitats the soil is mainly well drained, neutral or weakly basic with a variable CaCO3 and high organic matter content. In Hungary summer truffle occurs in areas of continental climatic effect. Widely distributed in the hilly regions (closed valleys and north oriented slopes) and in the floodplains of rivers.

Winter truffle (Tuber brumale)

A black truffle with white marbled greyish gleba. Fragrance of the truffle is very typical, resembles that of French truffle (Tuber melanosporum). Fruit body size is generally small, reaching walnut size. Winter truffle can be collected during January-March, but sometimes ripened pieces appear in autumn. It prefers neutral pH, having similar soil demand like summer truffle with wider tolerance towards acidity. It is widely distributed in shady valleys and closed forests of the lowland. Host plants of the truffle are similar to those of summer truffle: oaks, hornbeam, hazelnut and lindens.

Smooth black truffle (Tuber macrosporum)

Fruit bodies of smooth black truffle are covered with black and brown warts of a size of nut to eggs. Gleba is brown with yellow veins, fragrance resembles garlic. Fruiting period: from September to February . Soil demand of this truffle is a medium heavy, basic soil. It occurs mainly in valleys and river banks, sometimes temporarily covered by water. This species can be important in afforestation of floodlands and plantation of gallery forests.

White truffle (Tuber magnatum)

A yellowish truffle with brown gleba inside Fruit body shape and size can vary but its fragrance cannot be mistaken: strong and complex garlic aroma. Mainly occurs in Italy and in the Balkan countries, not a truffle of great masses in Hungary. Fruit bodies can appear under oak and white poplar from October to December.

Hungarian sand truffle (Mattirolomyces terfezioides)

White truffle with marbled flesh. Aroma resembles of mushroom, however, its taste is surprisingly sweet. Mainly occurs in black locust forest of sandy soils. Season lasts from August to November.